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The Koshland Science Museum closed on November 27, 2017. Since 2004, it has provided an opportunity for visitors to learn about science and its importance as a decision-making resource in their daily lives. Following a review of other modes of engaging the public, however, the work of the museum will be carried out through a new program of activities that will take place in a variety of locations and online, interacting with a broad range of community partners in its continuing mission to help people use science to solve problems. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting transition by signing up for our newsletter!

For the latest news from the Koshland, subscribe to our newsletter and connect with us on Facebook or Twitter to discover new insights and become part of a community of science enthusiasts. Or email us at labx@nas.edu.

The Koshland Science Museum closed on November 27, 2017. Since 2004, it has provided an opportunity for visitors to learn about science and its importance as a decision-making resource in their daily lives. Following a review of other modes of engaging the public, however, the work of the museum will be carried out through a new program of activities that will take place in a variety of locations and online, interacting with a broad range of community partners in its continuing mission to help people use science to solve problems. Stay tuned for more information about this exciting transition by signing up for our newsletter!

IPCC: Physical Science Basis of Climate Change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has issued a report calling climate change “unequivocal” and reinforcing the scientific consensus that human activity influences climate change. The report, the IPCC’s 5th Assessment Report (AR5), was written by an expert working group and focuses on the physical science basis of climate change.

"The release of AR5 is another significant milestone in the advancement of climate change science," said Ralph J. Cicerone, president of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. "We express our gratitude to the hundreds of experts from around the world who volunteered to take part in this important scientific endeavor. The result of their combined expertise reinforces the evidence base and scientific consensus that human activity is causing climate change. Their critical review and synthesis of the latest models, measurements, observations, and other data give policymakers an important evidence base upon which to make decisions about how best to mitigate and adapt to climate change."

The IPCC was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme. Its First Assessment Report in 1990 led to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a treaty intended to limit greenhouse gas emissions, which President George H.W. Bush signed at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.

The Koshland Science Museum has developed an interactive exhibit on climate change called Earth Lab: Degrees of Change that can be accessed online or in person. The museum’s Global Warming Webquest can be used as a virtual field trip for high school and undergraduate level students.